So shall we invest in each other, and, what’s more, express our love for one another? Let’s recognize love as a cardinal American value.

Is this proper for a secular republic?

Yes. Though religions do promote love, love is an observable phenomenon, probably explicable in terms of biological evolution, and useful to people of all beliefs and unbeliefs.

Often we praise and honor self-sacrifice by soldiers, responders, volunteers, teachers, parents, friends, and personnel. What is this sacrifice? Love.

Does love make us suckers, vulnerable to the machinations of our more cynical fellows? Well, no, it shouldn’t. We can love them without being so foolish as to trust them. Does this thought have wider implications? Inspired by love, let’s work together to reduce poverty and the fear of poverty in general.

I hope that a more prosperous society could be a less greedy and more productive society.

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